Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

In Brussels, the capital of the European Union, it was announced that the Council of Member States and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on the welfare and traceability of cats and dogs. This agreement establishes rules at the EU level for the first time. It aims to improve the welfare of cats and dogs in breeders, sales institutions, and shelters, while also enhancing consumer protection, ensuring fair competition, and combating illegal trade.

The statement quoted the current Danish Presidency of the EU, represented by Jacob Jensen, the Danish Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, as saying, "Animals must be treated humanely and not traded illegally. It's that simple. I am truly proud that we have negotiated an agreement—the first of its kind—that sets stricter rules for the dog and cat trade, allowing us to address the problems of puppy mills and the illegal animal trade. We are establishing minimum standards for animal welfare, setting traceability rules, and harmonizing legislation. This is a major European victory and an important step in the right direction for animal welfare in Europe." The new rule requires the identification of all dogs and cats, including those already owned. However, individuals are not bound by the establishments' obligations.

These requirements serve as minimum standards for harmonization within the EU market. Member States are permitted, if they so choose, to maintain or implement stricter rules.

Principles of Welfare
The main principles of welfare guaranteed by the Convention are as follows:

Reproduction is regulated, with limits set on the frequency and minimum and maximum age of breeding.

Certain breeding practices are prohibited, such as inbreeding (breeding between parents and children, between siblings and half-siblings, and between grandparents and grandchildren). The Convention clarifies that inbreeding may be used to preserve local breeds with limited genetic resources.

The breeding of hybrid animals (resulting from crossbreeding with wild species) is prohibited.

Painful mutilation, such as ear clipping, tail docking, or declawing, is prohibited, except where medically necessary. Sufficient access to clean, fresh water, adequate food, and suitable housing must be provided.

Dogs must be allowed daily access to an outdoor area or taken for a daily walk; this applies to dogs older than eight weeks.

Requirements for Operators and Facilities:

All cats and dogs must be microchipped and registered in a national database before being sold or donated. All databases will be compatible with those in other EU countries and will be accessible online.

Those caring for cats or dogs must have a proper understanding of their behavior and needs.

Facilityes must ensure regular veterinary checkups.

When selling or donating cats or dogs, the person responsible for the animals must raise awareness about responsible ownership.

Operators must not abandon cats or dogs.

Female cats and dogs that have undergone two cesarean sections will not be used for breeding to protect their health and well-being. Cats and dogs with severe deformities must be excluded from breeding to prevent the transmission of these traits to future generations if there is a significant risk of adverse effects on their welfare or the welfare of their offspring.

Cats and dogs with severe deformities or abnormalities will be excluded from participating in competitions, shows, or exhibitions.

Imports from outside the EU
In line with the Commission's proposal, imports will be subject to the same or similar standards. This will strengthen consumer protection and ensure traceability of cats and dogs.

Cats and dogs must be registered in the EU database. Dogs and cats imported for sale must be registered in a national database within five working days. Pet owners must register non-commercial transfers in the EU Pet Traveler Database at least five days in advance.

For this purpose, a Pet Traveler Database will be established. This will provide Member States with an overview of non-commercial imports into the EU, enabling them to detect any suspicious movements. Regarding the next steps, the European statement indicated that the provisional agreement will be adopted by both the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament before its formal adoption and entry into force.

EU citizens own more than 72 million dogs and 83 million cats, with an annual market value of €1.3 billion. Despite this, 74% of Europeans believe that pet welfare requires stronger protection. Current EU legislation primarily covers animals used for scientific purposes or those transported for commercial purposes, while national regulations vary considerably among member states.

In response to growing public demand for better protection, the European Commission submitted a legislative proposal on December 7, 2023, to improve animal welfare.

On June 26, 2024, the Council of the European Union reached an agreement with the European Parliament on a negotiating mandate. This agreement was a direct response to strong calls from EU citizens, highlighted by a Eurobarometer survey published in October 2023, which revealed widespread concern about pet welfare across Europe.